Letters to the editor, Dec. 28

Published 5:52 pm, Thursday, December 27, 2012

One of the feral cats common along the Bay Trail from San Mateo County to San Jose prowls in Coyote Point park.

One of the feral cats common along the Bay Trail from San Mateo County to San Jose prowls in Coyote Point park.

Photo: Lance Iversen, SFC

Letters to the editor, Dec. 28

1 / 1

Back to Gallery

A humane solution to feral cat problem

Thank you for your editorial "A better fate for stray cats" (Dec. 26) in support of trap-neuter-return as the most humane and effective method for controlling the feral cat population.

Although this is the preferred best practice, advocated by leading animal rescue and humane organizations, it is often not possible to return spayed or neutered feral cats to their outdoor homes. Sadly, cats that cannot be returned are among the many euthanized at animal shelters.

Our organization, Tenth Life Foundation, was founded to address this problem. Our mission is to reduce the euthanasia rates of unadoptable cats at Bay Area shelters by finding alternative homes for them on ranches, farms or in backyards. The cats provide rodent control, and the adopters provide food and shelter for the cats, a win-win solution.

While there is no single method for controlling the feral cat population, an enlightened community committed to humane solutions is the foundation.

Those feral cats must go

Feral cats need to be eliminated, period. They carry a number of diseases that we get, and they are a serious public health hazard.

Vaccination, sterilization and release are misguided and not an adequate response.

If you do not know about toxoplasmosis, do your homework. It is a danger to all of us, not just to pregnant women and the immuno-compromised.

Bill Burley, Bend, Ore.

The genuine meaning of hope

The World Tree of Hope now on display at City Hall is a wonderful symbol for children and adults to express their hopes for the future of the world. The hopes are printed on paper and decorate the tree.

Children and adults also need to know that hope is a virtue; the Latin root of "virtue," "virtus," means strength and courage. Too often, hope is used to express anxiety, as in "I hope the Niners win." Real hope requires hard work and determination. Hope is not a slogan to feel good and then sip a latte and do nothing.

Caltrans criminally negligent

"Caltrans is slow to act as more hit on Millbrae road" (Dec. 10):

Caltrans is a stunning example of almost unimaginable, cruel incompetence. The attorney for the family of poor Emily Liou, who remains in a coma six years later, calls the agency's behavior "egregious" and "despicable." He is too charitable. Caltrans is criminally and willfully negligent and, worse, a textbook example of craven, faceless bureaucracy.

Its "spokesperson" can arrogantly dispense lies and obfuscation, apparently without fear of reprimand. Do you think they care about the $8 million? I find it appalling that even a city council (Millbrae's) cannot compel action.

Where is the oversight? Who controls Caltrans? Can it act with total impunity and irresponsibility?

How many have to die?

Thomas Wood, Nicasio

The right to make gun money

We have banned trans-fats, plastic bags, nudity on benches in San Francisco, sodas in school and who knows what else in our nation. When are we going to ban guns? When our Constitution was adopted in 1787, there was a reason to bear arms; what reason do we have in the 21st century except making sure the gun lobby is getting richer?

Bishops, speak up for the poor

Especially after a long campaign and during fruitless, interminable cliff talk, where precious little is said about the poor, I am extremely disappointed that the one consistent, strong voice for the needs of the poor, the U.S. Catholic Bishops, may be hoarse when their voice is needed most because they could not get a two-thirds vote ("Bishops split over poverty and church's political role," Dec. 25).

But to say, as the story did, that this "is illustrative of growing political divisions among the bishops" is wrong. It cited the reasons for the lack of a two-thirds vote: some said it "was too sprawling, unfocused"; others said it "rushed through the approval process;" and "didn't take a strong enough stand."

U.S. Catholic bishops, your strong, loud voice is needed so that the Lord hears the cry of the poor.

Yoga is good for kids

The article regarding yoga being taught in a San Diego school district ("To a few parents, yoga deeply agitating," Dec. 26) was incredibly enlightening and said so much in one quote: "They're teaching our children how to think and how to make decisions."

To evangelicals, nothing is more frightening than the idea that their children might think or question this dogmatic and rigid approach to living. Unfortunately, they are denying their children critical thinking skills and the physical benefits of yoga, such as increased muscle strength, improved posture, better balance and inner calm. Ignorance, plain and simple.

Latest from the SFGATE homepage:

Click below for the top news from around the Bay Area and beyond. Sign up for our newsletters to be the first to learn about breaking news and more. Go to 'Sign In' and 'Manage Profile' at the top of the page.